Climber Blown Off Washington Monument Not Injured

A climber inspecting the earthquake-damaged Washington Monument was blown about 30 feet off the monument’s face by a gust of wind but wasn’t injured.

The National Park Service says the wind gust about 6 p.m. Friday pushed the climber, Erik Sohn, around the monument from the west wall to the south wall. Project Manager Daniel Lemieux tells The Washington Post Sohn was dangling on a rope about 50 feet off the ground.

In a statement, Lemieux says the climbers are prepared for such incidents. He says Sohn even “enjoyed the ride.”

The inspection work was suspended Saturday because of the weather. The park service says work will resume Sunday. The team has been rappelling down the monument, removing loose pieces of stone and mortar and documenting damage.